End of society

VROOOOOM

A deafening roar of a car emerges as I jolt across the front seat. I rose my head up, looking at the windshield and seeing the sky becoming a bright blue.

I look around for the source of the noise but I saw no one. I rub my eyes for a moment before adjusting to the front seat and getting out of the car.

I did a couple of stretches and took out a bottle of water as I was thirsty. I look around the deserted road in case anything comes. After that, I got back in the car and started it up for the long drive.

Today was the day. It's 5:28 and I have 17 hours and 32 minutes until Operation Cobalt. Things are going to get serious soon.

I drove a while before deciding to put on some music.

[Playing "Bad Moon Rising" by Creedence Clearwater Revival]

It was an ironic song to play but I couldn't lie, it was a good song. Should I be tapping my feet to this?

Music was a funny sense of humor in this universe. Anyways, I kept driving. Only stopping at a gas store to refill my tank and more supplies.

[Driving skill leveled up]

The system chime as I continued the drive. Hours pass by and I notice a gravel road into the side. Beside it was a sign saying, "Westside Quarry Lake". I took the turn and started climbing up in height. The gravel road changed to dirt and trees started to pile the sides. The lake began to emerge, the glimmering surface gleaming in brightness.

I hit the brake in a decently clear area. I got out of the car wondering if this was the spot the camp was made. I wasn't hung up on it.

I walk to the cliff, taking in the sight. I thought about the people that will soon inhabit it. I look forward to interacting with them.

I look around not knowing what to do. I decide to use this time to gain skills. Digging through my car I took out a foldable chair and a bag. After setting up the chair, I open the bag, revealing my catalog of stolen library books

I glazed the surface when one of the books caught my eye. It was called "Bushcraft 101". Bushcraft was using nature to sustain oneself in the wilderness.

Interested in the book, I open it and begin to read. In the first chapter, I learn the most important skill for thriving in the forest, and that was starting a fire. Fire is useful for a lot of things, the most notable is food and purifying water. It can also bring warmth and signal help. The book showed various methods on how to start a fire and at the end of the chapter, I got both Novice [Fire Starter] and [Campfire Crafting].

I briefly close the book and put it to the side. I noticed that reading guides are better than starting from scratch. The only downside is that it takes up time and is limited by that knowledge. Still, it's good to have as to get a skill from scratch you have to succeed first. Meaning I would have to successfully start one by myself to get the skill. I don't think I would've been able to do it alone.

I pick up the bag, wondering what other books I have.

Unfortunately, not all of them were useful as books like "How to Invest and Trade in Stock" and "How to Become a Billionaire" weren't very useful for an apocalyptic world. Yeah, I should've checked them thoroughly before stuffing them in. I'll keep them though. Not in hopes the world would get better but as burning material.

There were still some useful books such as a lock-picking book. In a world where everything is abandoned, its value is unreal. Another was a book for traps which could help with getting food.

Some long-term skills were "Gardening: A Home to the Heart" and "Auto Repair for Dummies". It would be hard to use them if we keep on moving places.

I zip up the bag and continued reading about Bushcraft. I learn the skill [Water Purification], [Outdoor Cooking], [Plant Identification], [Trapping] and [Primitive Shelter Building].

The [Plant Identification] and [Trapping] skill didn't upgrade completely as the subject was barely touched on.

I gain another skill but its name was ?????. I guess I have something else to unlock. It's interesting though. The first two books I've read gave me two mystery skills. Is it a common trait or was it a coincidence?

'I would have to read more. But not today.' I thought while looking at the sun, seeing its position move more to the west. The day was ending soon as the sky darkens

I rubbed my head, wondering where Ethan was. Maybe he will get here at night. If so, I'll build a fire to show him I'm up here.

I got up and traverse the edge of the forest, picking up leaves and fiber, to small branches in increasing size. I ended it off by using [Observation] to find a Flint Rock.

The striking rock method was not the only way to start a fire, but I wanted to give it a shot. I also wonder what the difference is. The skill [Fire Starter] doesn't discriminate methods of fire. So what's the difference between this and just lighting a match?

I'll look into it later. I made sure I didn't stray too far from the camp, returning with the supplies. I laid down the leave and fiber before equipping my hunting knife. I got the rock and struck it repeatedly before I see a strand string of smoke emerge. I got down, blowing and waving on it until a nice fire arose.

I grab the sticks, tossing them in, prompting the fire to grow bigger. I kept it low, remembering the light could attract Walkers like in season one. I don't think a walker will be this far out but better safe than sorry.

After having it laid out, I sit back on my chair. I watch the fire silently. Just in time for the night.

'Where the fuck is Ethan?' I thought. 'He couldn't be far. After all, he was like a couple of hours from me. He should have been here.

A wave of uncertainty clouded my mind. I push it back. Since we have time, I decided to map out my plan for the future.

I guess I'll hang with the group for now. If things go awry I'll dip to Alexandria, which I know is somewhere in Virginia, Dc. However before I do that, I should at least get a connection with Rick.

Let see. Important events of the future are the attack on the camp, the CDC, missing Sophia, Randall, and Shane. The problems of the first two seasons.

I can easily prevent the attack on Camp. Doing so, however, would make the group not go to the CDC. The trip to it was mostly useless though, but if I could get a hint about the cure, it would be nice. Not that I think he will open it for outsiders until the research was broken. Is it worth it?

I don't know, however, I would like a nice retirement in the future.

The missing Sophia incident, I won't let her die. I mean can I really let that happen? I know her death was a lesson to the group or a turning point but I can't. I'm not that heartless.

Randall strained the relationship between Rick and Shane more. I don't know if this could prevent the fallout but we can't let Randall go at that point. We either keep him or kill him. I'm ok with the latter.

And Shane... his mindset isn't wrong. That's for sure. But his aggressiveness ended him. I would like to keep him around, possibly dissuade him-

BOOM

BOOM

BOOM

Distant explosions suddenly went out, at first slow and delayed to a fast and constant noise. Like a rowdy neighbor firing their guns during New Year. It last for 23 minutes.

I was able to move my eyes from the direction as the forest grow silent. And as it stop I finally caught my breath.

[Operation Cobalt has ended.]

A huge event had just happened... I wonder if I could have prevented it. I doubt it.

A wave of uneasiness overtook my heart as my cousins still aren't here.

I couldn't sleep. I didn't want to sleep. I just stare at the fire, looking down from the Quarry now and again. Unknowingly the sky got lighter and lighter.

My tiredness started to overcome when suddenly I heard the sound of footsteps enter my ears. "Ethan?!" I asked, but no answer came. I sluggishly equipped my gun and stood up, aiming at the direction of the sound.

"King Country Sheriff Department! Put your hands up!" A voice shouted.

'A police officer?! Wait...' I used [Observation] and the officer's name was clear to me.

[Shane Walsh(Rare)]

Officer Not-So-Friendly is pointing a gun at me...

————————————————————————

[ Name: Lucas Anderson (Previous) David Goans.] [Age:17]

Lv1:(0/50

Stats:

Strength:5

Agility:6

Endurance:6

Intelligence:5

Charisma:5

Points remaining:1

Combat skills:

Marksmanship(one-handed)-Beginner(50/500)

      Aiming-Novice(2/100)

Survival skills:

   Campfire Crafting-Novice(30/100

   Scavenging-Novice(20/100)

Fire Starter-Novice(10/100)

   Tracking-Novice(0/100)

   Lake Fishing-Novice(0/100)

   Water Purification-Novice(0/100)

   Outdoor Cooking-Novice(0/100)

   Primitive Shelter Building-Novice(0/100)

   Plant Identification-Beginner(25/50)

   Trapping-Beginner(25/50)

   ????????-Locked

General Skills:

  Driving- Apprentice(2/300)

Observation-Novice(87/100)

   Sprinting-Novice(7/100)

  Persuasion-Beginner(3/50)

Intimidate-Beginner(1/50)

Perks: Zombie kill counts(1)

  None

Inventory: 10 slots

1x hunting knife

1x Barnett Jackal

28x Crossbow bolts

1028x water bottles

5x first aid

4x painkillers

1x Ruger Blackhawk

7,511x .44 magnum ammo

2247x Chocolate bars

Reputation:

———————————————————————

Word count:1682

Just realized Los Angeles is called that because it was once a part of Mexico. It shouldn't have taken me this long.